RCAAP Repository

Avaliou-se a degradabilidade "in situ" da matéria seca e da proteína bruta: a) do caroço de algodão integral; b) do caroço de algodão integral quebrado e c) do farelo de algodão, com três novilhas mestiças, (europeu x zebú) dotadas de fístulas de rúmen, utilizadas em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Os animais receberam como volumoso a cana-de-açúcar e uma mistura de concentrados que continha farelo de algodão (0,3 kg), caroço de algodão integral (0,6 kg) e milho moído (1,6 kg). As taxas médias de degradabilidade para a MS com 48 horas de incubação foram maiores (P<0,01) para o farelo de algodão (62,3%) seguidos pelo caroço de algodão integral quebrado (57,1%) e caroço de algodão integral (22,1%). Para a proteína bruta as taxas foram maiores (P<0,01) para o farelo de algodão (93,5%), seguidos pelo caroço de algodão quebrado (82,5%) e caroço de algodão inteiro (18,3%).

A morphometrical study of the cranial, medial and caudal portions of the epididymis from 72 domestic quail was performed during one year, being six epididymides collected each month. The epididymal portions were morphometrically evaluated through five histological slides (7 µm thick) from each bird. The slides were stained by Harri’s hematoxilin. The morphometrical measures were taken from 4 transversal sections, randomly chosen, from each organs (120 measurements per bird each month). Measures were taken from the epididymal area. The diameter and thickness of the epithelium in the proximal and distal efferent ductules and the epididymal ducts were also measured, using 40x magnification lenses and an image analyzer coupled with a binocular Zeiss microscope. Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS computer program. The analyses of the results showed that the caudal portion of the epididymus was significantly larger than the cranial portion when comparing the epididymal area and the major diameter of the distal and epididymal efferent ductules. These data suggested that the caudal portion is more active than the medial and cranial ones, similar to what occurs in mammals.

Six healthy equine were used to evaluate surgical technique of thoracotomy; surgical access to the right hemithorax was assured by anesthesia with mechanical controlled ventilation. The technique employed resulted in intense and diffuse bleeding throughout the muscular layers and provided easy approach to elevate the periosteum of the rib to be partially excised. After undoing of the negative thoracic pressure, pulmonary expansion was adequate, as assessed by visual examination. The bone endings provided good support and stability to the muscular sutures, and the suture material was of enough strength to support different degrees of tension. The technique allowed surgical procedures to be carried out in the horse’s cranial and accessory pulmonary lobes as well as satisfactory exploration of the right pleural cavity. The suture methods employed were efficient and no signs of respiratory distress or pneumothorax were observed.

Stryphnodendron adstringens (barbatimão) é uma árvore natural dos Estados do Pará ao Mato Grosso do Sul e São Paulo (Brasil). O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a toxicidade dos extratos das vagens desta espécie e verificar efeitos sobre a gestação de ratas. As vagens foram coletadas na região de Cuiabá (MT, Brasil) e separadas em cascas e sementes. Foram feitos extratos brutos hidroalcoólicos (2:1), a frio e depois levados à secura (máximo 55°C). Ratas fêmeas virgens foram acasaladas e receberam extratos (0,5 ml/100 g de peso, 100 g/l) ou água na mesma proporção (controle) por gavagem do 1° ao 7° dia de gestação. No 7° dia, foram feitas laparatomias para contagem do número de implantes uterinos. As ratas foram sacrificadas no 21° dia de gestação. Os extratos das sementes reduziram o peso do útero e o número de fetos vivos em relação ao grupo controle. A dose média letal (DL50) calculada para o extrato das sementes foi de 4.992,8 mg/kg. A DL50 do extrato das vagens foi maior que 5.000 mg/kg. Pode-se concluir que o extrato das sementes de S. adstringens interfere na gestação de ratas, sendo que esta ingestão pode prejudicar animais herbívoros.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do folículo dominante nas fases de crescimento, estática e de regressão sobre a resposta superovulatória em 18 ciclos estrais de 9 novilhas da raça Nelore. Avaliaram-se os ovários entre o dia 6 e o dia 10 do ciclo estral pela técnica de ultra-sonografia, medindo-se o diâmetro do maior folículo e contando-se o número de folículos subordinados. Os animais foram superovulados com 400 ou 500 UI de FSH/LH, iniciando-se no dia 10 do ciclo estral, em subdoses decrescentes, por 4 dias consecutivos. Aplicou-se PGF2alfa concomitante com a quinta subdose de FSH/LH e realizaram-se inseminações artificiais às l2 horas e às 24 horas após o início dos sintomas de estro. Os embriões foram colhidos no dia 6,5 após a primeira inseminação artificial, obtendo-se 3,00; 3,83 e 10,17 embriões, respectivamente, nas fases de crescimento, estática e regressão. Observaram-se melhores resultados quanto ao número de embriões quando o folículo dominante se encontrava em fase de regressão.

Com o objetivo de se estudar o comportamento, do ponto de vista clínico e histológico, do pericárdio de eqüino conservado em glicerina, nas reparações lamelares experimentais da córnea, foram constituídos 4 grupos com 5 cães cada. Após ceratectomia superficial de 5 mm x 5 mm um fragmento de igual tamanho de pericárdio de eqüino conservado em glicerina foi suturado usando-se fio monofilamentar de náilon nº 7-0 em pontos simples separados. Os animais foram sacrificados aos 7, 15, 30 e 100 dias de pós-operatório. Os resultados, tanto clínico quanto histopatológico obtidos, nos permitiram afirmar que o pericárdio de eqüino conservado em glicerina constituiu-se em boa alternativa de enxertia nos reparos lamelares da córnea de cães.

Mouse embryos were cultured and co-cultured in mouse (MOEC) and bovine (BOEC) oviduct epithelial cells suspension. Embryos were co-cultured from one cell and two-cell stage to blastocyst stage. Cell culture (MOEC and BOEC) was made at a 100 µl drop under oil. Embryos were recovered 24-26 hours in the case of zygotes and 46-48 hours in the case of 2 cell embryos after hCG injection. Total embryos were randomly split into 3 groups: control (cultured), MOEC and BOEC (co-cultured) with CZB, TCM199 and B2 mediums. In CZB group, 44 zygotes (38.26%) from the control achieved blastocyst stage (expanded or hatched), being statistically different (p<=0.05) from MOEC (1.89%) and BOEC (6.72%). Co-culture with zygotes in TCM199 and B2 didn’t pass 2 cell block. Two cell embryos cultured in CZB achieved blastocyst stage at a rate of 43.80% for the control, 38.79% for MOEC and 29.60% for BOEC group. Statistical difference (p<=0.05) appears from the control with BOEC groups. In TCM 199 medium, total of blastocyst were 48.15% for the control, 39.08% for MOEC and 48.49% for the BOEC groups, having no statistical difference among groups. This study allowed concluding that zygote block in TCM199 and B2 medium may be related to the presence of glucose. And that mouse embryos development is not species-specific.

Effects of homologous prostatic secretion on post-thaw motility, membrane integrity and agglutination of cryopreserved canine spermatozoa diluted in TRIS-egg-yolk and in TRIS-BSA semen extenders were investigated. The study demonstrates that the addition of prostatic secretion resulted in beneficial effect on the acrosome integrity of the spermatozoa. There weren’t changes regarding sperm motility rate, and exposure of spermatozoa to prostatic secretion didn’t lead to a significant reduction on sperm agglutination. However, after incubation for 60 minutes at 37ºC, the addition seemed showing better sperm dissociation in TRIS-BSA 0.25% (60% of the samples). At this time, sperm survival in extenders was observed at different rates: in TRIS-egg-yolk diluent (40% of the samples), in TRIS-BSA 0.25% diluent (80% of the samples), in TRIS-BSA 0.50% diluent (40% of the samples), and in TRIS-BSA 1.00% diluent (50% of the samples).

This research was carried out to detect salmonela in feedstuffs (136 samples), feeds (43) and dust swabs (110) from a feed mill. Salmonela was not detected in dust swabs samples. For feedstuffs, 19.85% were positive, with highest values observed from animal by-products (50%), dairy by-products (7.5%), 12.5% for other feedstuffs and 4.65% for complete feeds.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of high supplemental dietary copper on laying performance, egg yolk cholesterol and blood plasma lipids. One hundred and sixty laying hens were placed in cages, and 8 birds were grouped per replicate, in a total of 5 treatments. Hens were fed a commercial diet supplemented as copper sulfate with 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg of copper/kg for a period of 6 weeks. Egg weight, egg production, feed intake and feed conversion were not significantly affected by the supplemental copper up to 400 ppm. At 600 and 800 mg/kg copper significantly reduced egg weight, egg production and feed intake. Egg shell quality, estimated as egg shell weight (g and % of egg weight) and egg shell thickness, was significantly decreased only at the higher supplemental copper level (800 ppm). Plasma concentrations of triglycerides and HDL cholesterol showed an inversion relationship when excess of supplemental dietary copper was fed. At the level of 800 ppm copper determined a significant reduction in plasma triglycerides (705 mg/dL) and a significant increase in plasma HDL cholesterol (9.7 mg/dL) as compared to the control group (1,643 and 4.5 mg/dL, respectively). Egg yolk cholesterol calculated on original or dry matter basis was significantly increased by feeding the higher level of supplemental copper (800 ppm) showing values of 14.83 and 27.70 mg/dL, respectively, as compared to the control group (12.35 and 23.08 mg/dL, respectively). The effect of high dietary level of copper on reduction of egg yolk cholesterol was not confirmed in this study. Further researches are recommended.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets with two protein levels (16.5% and 14.5%) and 5 supplemental methionine levels (0%, 0.025%, 0.050%, 0.075% and 0.100%) on postmolt layer performance. Two hundred forty commercial laying hens at 67 wk of age were induced to molt by zinc oxide and fed ten molt experimental diets for 6 wk. At the end of the experiment body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion were significantly higher for the birds fed the 16.5% crude protein diet. Hens fed higher protein level diet returned to egg production faster than those birds fed lower protein diet. Rations with 16.5% of protein determined a significant better egg production until the fifth experimental week, without affecting the egg weight. The methionine supplementation significantly increased egg weight, however did not statistically influence the egg production. Birds fed approximately 300 mg methionine daily (0.050% and 0.075% supplemental methionine levels) produced eggs significantly heavier, however resulting in a low egg shell quality measured by egg specific gravity, shell thickness and shell weight.

A visibilização e a identificação dos vasos que irrigam os tecidos é facilitada quando são utilizadas substâncias com poder corante e de distensão vascular ou meios radiopacos. Nesta pesquisa, em 22 cães foi realizada toracotomia lateral intercostal esquerda no 8º espaço intercostal e clampeamento da aorta torácica a ± 1 cm cranial ao diafragma. Em 10 animais, foi perfundida solução de gelatina/anilina e, no restante, injetado contraste vascular positivo e acompanhamento radiográfico. Foram identificadas artérias que vascularizavam o diafragma, mas não o fígado quando é efetuado o clampeamento aórtico no tórax.

The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine estrus presentation and distribution following a conventional method of estrus synchronization (progestagen-PMSG treatment) in an ewe herd and 2) to analyze estrus presentation and distribution in adult ewes and ewe lambs. During spring a total of 300 cyclic Merino ewes, including 231 adult ewes and 69 ewe lambs were treated with intravaginal sponges impregnated with 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP). After 14 days sponges were removed and 375 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were administered i.m. Estrus detection was performed with vasectomized rams. Ewes were inspected for the presence of marks at 4-hours intervals. Sponge losses, estrus synchronization and distribution were analyzed for adult ewes and ewe lambs. It was detected 1% (3/300) of sponge losses. Estrus synchronization rate was 92.93% (276/297) for the ewe herd, being 93.48% (215/230) for adults and 91.04% (61/67) for lambs (p>;0.10). Estrus onset was detected from 28 to 68 hours following treatment in both classes of females. The interval between sponge removal and estrus onset was 46.88 ± 11.78 hours for the ewe herd, being 46.99 ± 12.22 hours for adult ewes and 47.31 ± 10.94 hours for ewe lambs (p>;0.10). Statistical differences were found only for the intervals 34-38 (p<0.10) and 50-54 hours (p<0.05) between adult ewes and ewe lambs. It was concluded that the treatment used was effective for estrus synchronization in ewes.

A pool of polyurethane sponges impregnated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) was prepared. Real level of progestagen on sponges was checked prior to sponge treatment insertion. During spring a total of 126 cyclic Merino ewes were intravaginally treated with MAP-impregnated pessaries for the synchronization of estrus. After 14 days treatment, sponges were removed. Estrus detection was performed with vasectomized rams. Ewes were inspected for the presence of marks twice a day. Ewes in estrus were artificially inseminated with fresh diluted semen containing a dose of 300x10(6) total sperm. Artificial insemination was performed 12 hours after estrus presentation. Residual levels of MAP (RMAP) on removed sponges were measured by spectrophotometry at 241 nM and examined in relation to their estrus response and fertility. Real dose of MAP was in average 54 mg. RMAP found on sponges following treatment were in average 25.00 ± 0.84 mg. Percentage of estrus synchronization was 92.86% and pregnancy rate was 50.43%. There were no significant differences for RMAP between ewes with (24.70 ± 0.86 mg) and without (28.89 ± 3.65 mg) estrus response (p>;0.10). There were also no significant differences for RMAP between pregnant (25.56 ± 1.25 mg) and non-pregnant (23.83 ± 1.18 mg) ewes (p>;0.10). It was concluded that the 60 mg MAP dose conventionally used for estrus synchronization in ewes is higher than the amount uptaken by the females.

Semen was collected from six stud dogs to compare five extenders in the semen freezing process. Each ejaculate was divided in five parts and added to tris-fructose-citric acid, glicine, lactose, skim milk and tris-fructose-citrate extenders. The semen was diluted at 37°C in extenders without glycerol, in the ratio 1:1 and cooled for 60 minutes to reach a 5°C temperature. Then, extenders with glycerol in the ratio of 2:1 were added to give the final prefreezing concentration of 4% of glycerol. The diluted semen with the cryoprotectant was maintained for a further 60 minutes in refrigeration to equilibrate the spermatozoa in the glycerol and packaged in 0.5 ml plastic straws. The straws were maintained for 30 minutes in vapor, plunged and stored in liquid nitrogen. Sperm morphology was evaluated before and after freezing, whereas progressive motility (%) and velocity of forward progression (0-5) were appraised in different periods of the freezing process. The extender tris-fructose-citric acid showed the best post thaw progressive motility and velocity of forward progression compared to the others extenders. Semen freezing increased major sperm morphological abnormalities, regardless of the extender.

The clinical, gross and microscopical features of a granulosa cell tumour in the ovary of a 2-year-old cat are described. This is a rare tumour in cats, moreover because of the animal’s age. It was diagnosed clinically by ultrasound examination. The tumour, a cystic mass in the region of the left ovary, metastasized to the epiplon and lungs. Tumour cells expressed vimentin and were arranged in a diffuse sarcomatous pattern, supported by a fine fibrovascular stroma. The presence of hair loss and repeated oestrus as clinical signs are indicative of orthoendocrine paraneoplastic syndrome, due to excessive oestrogen stimulation. This tumour should be considered in the differential diagnosis of behavioural disturbances in female cats.

Com a finalidade de se investigar o efeito no Sistema Nervoso Central (SNC) do opióide antagonista naloxone hidrocloride sobre a liberação do hormônio luteinizante (LH) em ovelhas ovariectomizadas e hipoglicêmicas, utilizaram-se oito fêmeas mestiças oriundas das raças Mule e Suffolk, pesando 65,7 ± 3,6 kg. Duas semanas antes do início dos trabalhos, os animais foram canulados bilateralmente nos ventrículos. Foram feitos dois tratamentos (TI- animais não-estressados; TII- animais estressados), que foram subdivididos em três grupos (solução salina, 1 mg e 2 mg de naloxone). Os animais foram distribuídos, aleatoriamente, dentro das parcelas e foram feitas repetições com intervalo de uma semana, até que se alcançassem quatro observações por tratamento. No TI não se observou alteração nas concentrações de ß-endorfinas e LH, enquanto no TII, apesar de os animais não apresentarem alterações nos níveis de ß-endorfinas após injeção intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) de 1 mg de naloxone, observou-se diminuição significativa (p<0,05) após injeção (i.c.v.) de 2 mg. No TII, as concentrações de LH aumentaram significativamente (p<0,05) após injeção (i.c.v.) de 1 e 2 mg de naloxone. Conclui-se, portanto, que mesmo na ausência dos esteróides gonadais, os opióides endógenos estão envolvidos no controle do LH em animais hipoglicêmicos.

A fim de determinar a ocorrência de Dirofilaria immitis em cães da cidade de Cuiabá e adjacências, foram utilizadas 500 amostras de sangue de cães de qualquer raça e ambos os sexo e com idade superior a seis meses, as quais foram coletadas em domicílio ou durante campanhas de vacinação anti-rábica, realizadas pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Cuiabá, por equipe de professores e alunos da Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária da UFMT, no período de setembro de 1995 a janeiro de 1997. A técnica utilizada para a pesquisa das microfilárias circulantes foi a de KNOTT modificada (Newton; Wright, 1956). Dentre as 500 amostras examinadas, foram encontradas microfilárias de D. immitis em 29 (5,8%) e de Dipetalonema reconditum em três (0,6%). Estes relatos de dirofilariose canina na região da Grande Cuiabá constituíram-se em estudo preliminar para que, numa segunda fase, possa ser determinada a prevalência da doença, mediante imunodiagnóstico.

Ejaculate traits, testicular volume and plasma testosterone levels were determined once every two months for one year in 4 adult male jaguars (Panthera onca) housed at the São Paulo Zoo, SP, Brazil. Semen samples was collected by electroejaculation and analyzed for pH, total volume, motility (0-100%), status (0-5), total spermatozoa count and morphology. Blood samples was obtained by cephalic venipuncture immediately before the onset of electroejaculation and stored at -20ºC until assay of testosterone by RIA. Using a calliper, the length and width of each testis was measured and the values were combined to determine the testicular volume. Semen analyses demonstrated a high percentage of structurally abnormal sperm (mean = 51%) and low rates of motility (50.6%) and status (2.2). No correlation was found between semen traits, plasma testosterone and testicular volume (Spearman’s test). No season variation was detected throughout the year for semen traits, plasma testosterone and testicular volume (p>;0.05, Friedman’s test). The results of this study suggest that the captive jaguars in Brazil are not seasonal, and that semen collections can be performed throughout the year without a perturbation in overall ejaculate quality. However, underlying causes of high percentages of structurally abnormal sperm, found in captive jaguars, need to be investigated mainly to improve semen quality.

The objetive of this study was to identify the better dose between 300 (n = 20), 400 (n = 21) and 500 IU (n = 21) of FSH/LH to stimulate Nelore heifers. The superovulation treatment started on day 10 (D0 = estrous) of the estrous cycle in 8 decreasing aplications for 4 days. The embryo recovery was achieved on day 6.5 after the first artificial insemination. The superovulatory response for 300, 400 and 500 IU FSH/LH was follicles (15.12, 15.76 and 14.94); corpus luteum (10.68, 11.55 and 10.81) and transferable embryos (5.20, 1.81 and 2.76). The 300 IU of FSH/LH group presented the best results in regard to transferable embryos. The transferable embryos were cryopreserved by one-step method with 1.5 M of ethylene-glycol, resulting in 8 pregnancies (7.5%) of 106 embryos transferred by non-curgical method. The 300 IU of FSH/LH presented better superovulatory response in comparison with 400 and 500 IU in Nelore heifers. The transfer of Bos taurus indicus embryos cryopreserved by one-step method in 1.5 M of ethilene glycol was not efficient.